About Romanian and Overseas Rescue Dogs
If you’re here, chances are you’re either considering adopting a Romanian or overseas rescue dog, or you already have one. This page offers a brief introduction to understanding Romanian and overseas rescue dogs, based on what I’ve learned over the past nine years of living and working with them.
I’d already been working professionally as a dog trainer and behavior consultant since 2006, but in 2015, my work took a new direction when I began fostering Romanian rescue dogs and supporting new adopters. It quickly became clear that these dogs were different - yet adopters weren’t being given the information or knowledge they needed to truly understand them.
Determined to bridge this gap, I started writing articles, sharing insights, and posting videos on social media. By 2019, I made the decision to focus exclusively on helping Romanian and overseas rescue dogs and their families. These dogs are truly amazing, and their uniqueness is part of what makes them so rewarding to live with - but it can also present challenges for adopters.
Please do explore the website, it's packed with resources created specifically for these sensitive and sometimes complex dogs.
From The DOG's Point of View blog, to free resources, and self study online courses & workshops, everything here is designed specifically to help adopters understand, connect with and care for these incredible naturally evolved dogs.
More on how and why they're so incredible below 👇
What Made me Realise Romanian Dogs were Different to UK Dogs?
The turning point came when I became a failed fosterer to Romanian rescue boy, Tramp. As we began our journey getting to know one another, establishing life skills & teaching him the ropes of navigating our busy world, it became clear that he was not the same as all the British born dogs I had lived & worked with.
First off, I want to emphasize that the traits and characteristics I discuss as being common in Romanian and overseas rescue dogs are not exclusive to them. British dogs can also display these traits & characteristics - particularly the more independently natured breeds.
Secondly, the things I share both on this page and throughout the resources on this website, are things that CAN be true with these dogs. I am not categorically stating that ALL Romanian or overseas rescue dogs WILL show these temperament traits and behaviours. I'm saying that, in my experience, many of them are more likely to.
Similarly, the techniques I use with Romanian dogs can absolutely be applicable to working with British dogs exhibiting similar traits or behaviors.
That said, there are certain traits & behaviours that appear more consistently and prominently in these naturally evolved dogs.
Street Smart & Independent
The naturally evolved dogs are highly intelligent and capable of learning complex skills - however, you may find them less inclined to get on board with conventional 'obedience' training.
These dogs are truly 'street smart' and will thrive on learning life skills, things that make sense to them and how they're wired to interpret & respond to the world around them. If you rely too much on repetitive exercises that don’t align with their needs or instincts, you’ll likely find they switch off and start to ignore you.
This can lead to many of these dogs being labelled as 'stubborn' when in fact what they are is independent. They are inclined to react to the world independently of human direction, which is why developing a strong relationship based on trust is essential if you want these dogs to get on board with what you ask of them.
With that independence in mind, they are not always overly tactile - certainly to begin with - but even long term, they may never be cuddle bugs.
They are deep thinkers and watchers. They are extremely environmentally aware and process everything relative to what it may mean for them - or not as the case may be. This can be something that works greatly in your favour if you know how to tap into it, but can cause problems if you don't.
With their heightened environmental awareness comes a sharp perception – they can spot an agenda a mile away! This is why you may often find bribery & coercion won't get you anywhere with these dogs, especially if you're trying to get them to do something they're worried about or don't want to do.
Heightened Survival Instincts
It's important to remember that the majority of British dogs have undergone generations of selective breeding, where humans have intentionally chosen traits that make them well-suited to living with, working alongside, and forming strong bonds with humans.
In contrast, naturally evolved dogs have developed through natural selection, free from human intervention. This means that, genetically, they often have stronger and sharper survival instincts, such as heightened wariness of unfamiliar people, unknown environments, strange objects, unfamiliar experiences.
They can also be environmentally sensitive, which can cause hyper-vigilance and increased anxiety in busy locations.
Think about it: a dog living in a free-roaming environment wouldn’t survive for long if it assumed that everything and everyone was safe, with no potential threats to its well-being.
Self-Preservation, Protection & Hunting
Natural world dogs can present with resource guarding tendencies, be avid scavengers, exhibit strong prey drive and/or alert barking behaviours - especially early on in adoption.
Many dogs from Eastern Europe in particular may have large guardian breed in the mix - a breed native to these regions - these dogs are 'protectors' and they can't just not do that behaviour - it's in their DNA.
These dogs live by the rules of 'safe' or 'unsafe.' If something happens that makes them feel unsafe, you may have a hard time convincing them otherwise.
All of that being said, it’s important to remember that those finely tuned survival instincts are also adaptive. In a free-roaming environment, dogs wouldn’t have survived long if they couldn’t adapt.
The problems arise when we expect them to adapt to too much, too quickly. Adjusting to changes and unfamiliar situations requires time for a dog to observe, process, absorb and sort the information, determining its relevance and meaning within their environment.
What Does 'Naturally Evolved' Mean for You as an Adopter?
What I've shared here with you is neither good or bad - it's simply information that I believe every adopter can benefit from knowing. All of these traits and characteristics can be positive things to work with, but it's important to have realistic expectations.
Ultimately, every dog is an individual - that is the most important thing to remember.
Many Romanian and overseas rescue dogs settle into their new homes with minimal issues. However, others struggle - often because their adopters weren’t fully prepared.
So, what does living with a naturally evolved dog really mean for you as an adopter? In truth, it’s impossible to cover everything in one page, which is why I’ve created all the resources on this site. But here are the key points to keep in mind:
Clear consistent communication is everything. These street smart, deeply instinctive dogs learn fast, but can struggle if humans are inconsistent or unclear. Learn how your dog communicates - through body language & subtle signals - and learn how to communicate with them, in a way that makes sense to them.
Relationship comes first - 'training' is secondary. Without trust, you’re likely to encounter challenges, and training will be much harder. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t set boundaries or teach necessary skills, but your focus should be on building trust, understanding, and communication - rather than conventional obedience training.
Adaptation takes time. Whether your dog has just arrived or has been with you for a while but is struggling, remember: they are adapting to an entirely new world, environment, and set of expectations that are constantly changing. We ask a lot of our dogs, things that often don't make sense to them, so give them time to learn & adapt.
What Next?
If you're a new adopter, or you're thinking of adopting a Romanian or overseas rescue dog - a great place to start would be the 'Set Yourself up for a Successful Adoption' free webinar.
If you're looking for more information or resources about living with Romanian and overseas rescue dogs, check out my Video Podcasts with adopters, canine professionals & recordings of interviews I've done.
If you're looking for help with your Romanian or overseas rescue dog, there are a number of different ways we can support you.
Join our community Facebook group HERE or follow our YouTube Channel HERE
For initial support you could check out our online behaviour workshops & courses HERE
Find a Romanian Rescue Recommended Trainer to work with you on a 1-1 basis HERE
Alternatively you could reach out and contact us HERE
OUR MOST POPULAR WORKSHOPS
We have a selection of behaviour workshops & webinars covering a range of topics that we know can be challenging for adopters of Romanian rescue dogs (and other overseas rescue dogs of course) These are some of our most popular ones.
All our workshops & webinars are recorded for you to watch at your leisure and they all include supporting resources in the form of teaching guides, video demo's, workbooks or handouts to help you implement the information contained in the workshop presentations.
Set yourself up for a Successful Adoption
FREE Webinar + supporting resources
Reactivity on Walks
£37
Workshop + supporting resources
Reactivity to Visitors
£37
Workshop + supporting resources
The Rommie Plant
£37
Workshop + supporting resources
